Maggie's Farm

I have heated with wood. I still do a little but for the pleasure of the stove. It is warmer and more pleasant than other forms of heat. Where I live there are half a million cords of wood laying on the ground in every square mile. You can't give it away. It is pine, burns fast and can put some creosote in your chimney. But it is free.

Michael Drejka was found guilty of manslaughter in Florida. There is a lot of commentary to this story both sides of the argument. I think that they are missing something. In other incidents like this where a drug using bully thug attacked someone in this way, knocking them to the ground, the very next thing that happened was a kick to the head of the prostrate victim. The attacker was exactly the right distance away to deliver a goal kick. It would take about a second to do it. The difference this time was the assault victim had a gun and used it in self defense. Should he have? Or should he have allowed himself to become the human football. I am reminded of Reginald Denny. He was permanently harmed when he was hit in the head with a brick. If he had a gun he could have saved himself all that suffering. But would he have then been put in jail for life?

Anyone who has been to Florida knows that any 7-11, store or strip mall is populated by people looking to hurt, or rob someone. They are doing drugs or are drunk and they don't like you and see you as a possible target. Much worse after dark. If attacked, can you defend yourself?

What if Mr. Drejka did not have a gun? The attacker was high on numerous drugs and was bigger, stronger and angry. What is your guess? Would he have been satisfied with throwing the much smaller man to the ground or would he have walked away. What if the victim in this assault had been a policeman would the policeman have shot his attacker? If he did would the prosecutor charge him with manslaughter? Somehow I don't think Mr. Drejka got justice.